HERMITAGE Board has 2 members to replace

The board knew Piccirilli was resigning but wasn't aware of Rich's plans.
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Hermitage School Board has two vacant seats to fill.
The board held a special meeting Wednesday to accept the resignation of President Duane Piccirilli, who was elected Hermitage city commissioner in the November election. He served 10 years on the board.
The plan was to announce the acceptance of applications for the remaining two years in Piccirilli's school board term, but now the board has two vacancies to fill, said Superintendent Karen Ionta.
Carol Rich, who had been re-elected to a second, four-year term in November, submitted her letter of resignation as well, Ionta said.
Personal reasons
Rich said this morning that her personal schedule will no longer allow her to give 100 percent to the board post.
Since her first election four years ago, she has been named executive director of the Children's Center of Mercer County and she has also begun work on a master's degree at Penn State University.
This was a good time to step down, she said, noting that the board was already preparing to search for a successor for Piccirilli.
Ionta said the board isn't sure how long a successor for Rich can serve. The district is checking with the county election office to determine if an appointment can be made for the full four-year term or if the appointment can only be for two years until the next board election, she said.
Any district resident interested in one of the seats should pick up an application from the superintendent's office. The applications can also be mailed, Ionta said.
They must be returned by noon Jan. 2, and the board will interview candidates Jan. 7 and 8.
Appointments will be made at a Jan. 12 meeting, she said.